Patrol

More MN Police Departments Switching to 12-Hour Work Schedules

Decades ago, Richfield police took a risk, becoming one of the first five law enforcement agencies in Minnesota to assign officers to 12-hour shifts.

With the lengthy shifts came impressive payoffs — a calendar filled with more time off, including three- or four-day breaks to catch up on sleep, help out at home, or socialize, reports the Star Tribune.

"We've been doing it for 25 years now," said Deputy Chief Mike Koob of the Richfield Police Department. "I think we'd have a revolt if we ever went back."

Over the past 10 to 15 years, other Minnesota police departments slowly began making the switch to longer shifts over fewer days.

Inver Grove Heights, Blaine, Lakeville and Ramsey police went to 12-hour shifts in the past six years. Hastings cops will do so next year.

"It's becoming more commonplace in law enforcement," said Lt. Brian Tholen of the Edina Police Department. "It's nice to have the time for officers to go home and spend quality time with their family."

Most police officials say the officers prefer the arrangement over a conventional eight-hour day, citing improved mental health, increased productivity, and more coverage during peak times.

But not everyone is a fan. Lurking behind its appeal are worries about fatigue, which some studies and sleep experts say could hamper judgment or lead to accidents in a profession with high stakes.

The Minnesota Chiefs of Police Association and Law Enforcement Labor Services — Minnesota's largest police union — have taken no position on the issue. Schedules don't usually affect contract negotiations, union officials said.

Scanner audio captured an officer’s account of what happened at the scene, CWBChicago reports: “Ten people surrounded me, indicating that they had firearms. And one person pulled him away from me, holding his waist, indicating that he would use a firearm against me.”

There were so many police officers, sheriff’s deputies and Highway Patrol troopers that the court appearance had to be moved out of Justice Court to Judge John Larson’s Courtroom Number Three on the third floor of the Missoula County Courthouse.

The vehicle pursuit ended in the town of Kittitas where Deputy Thompson was backed up by Officer Benito Chavez. The suspect exited the vehicle and exchanged shots with the two law enforcement officers.

Sarah Wilson and her boyfriend were arrested during a stop in Chesapeake after officers allegedly found drugs in the 1996 Lexus the couple were driving. Police said they handcuffed Wilson and, while attempting to apprehend her boyfriend, 27-year-old Holden Medlin, he became combative and ran away from the scene.